At Dr Felix you can find the most widely used prescription treatments for thrush in women, such as vaginal preparations, capsules and thrush cream.
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Fluconazole antifungal capsules
Clotrimazole antifungal cream
Clotrimazole antifungal pessary
Miconazole antifungal cream
Clotrimazole pessary and cream
Clotrimazole pessary and cream
Thrush is a yeast infection which is caused by an overgrowth of the candida yeast. It mainly affects women, causing itching and irritation in and around the vagina but men can experience it too, although this is rarer. Common symptoms include redness, itching and discomfort of the vagina and vulva and a white, odourless discharge. Thrush is not a sexually transmitted infection although it can be passed on during sex.
Thrush is caused by a yeast called candida. These fungi are naturally present inside the vagina and don't usually cause problems. Thrush arises when the natural balance inside the vagina is disrupted, which causes the candida yeast to multiply. There are several common triggers which can cause this to happen which include:
In women, thrush occurs in the vagina and around the labia. Men can also experience thrush on the tip of the penis. You can also get oral thrush inside the mouth which is usually caused by medicine or dentures.
Thrush can occur in both men and women. It is caused by the candida bacteria which naturally lives inside your skin, turning into a fungal yeast infection if the natural balance is upset. Thrush is much less common in men but the infection is the same as female thrush. It is usually referred to as candidal balanitis.
Oral thrush affects the inside of the mouth. It tends to be caused by asthma inhalers, antibiotics, chemotherapy or dentures. It is also fairly common in babies. The symptoms include having a white coating on the tongue, soreness of the tongue and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Oral thrush is caused by the same type of yeast as genital thrush. Genital thrush mainly affects women, causing itching and discomfort in and around the vagina. It is triggered by various possible factors like wearing tight clothing that doesn't allow the skin to breathe, using perfumed products and vaginal dryness during sex.
In women, the symptoms of thrush may include:
The symptoms of oral thrush include:
Thrush and bacterial vaginosis both affect the vagina but there are differences between the two. Thrush is a yeast infection caused by the Candida yeast whereas bacterial vaginosis is a bacterial infection which occurs if the PH balance of the vagina is altered. The symptoms of thrush include itching, redness and irritation and it produces a white, cottage cheese like discharge. Bacterial vaginosis causes a watery discharge which has a fishy smell and it can cause a burning sensation during urination. It does not cause an itching sensation like thrush.
There are several factors which can contribute to a bout of thrush. These steps can help to prevent thrush from happening again:
Female thrush is usually treated with a combination of a pessary or intravaginal cream and an external cream. A pessary is a tablet which is inserted into the vagina, the same goes for the intravaginal cream. These treatments come with an applicator to insert them into the vagina. Alongside this, you will have a cream to soothe external itching around the labia. Oral capsules are available if you'd prefer not to use a pessary. Sex should be avoided during the course of the treatment.
Thrush treatments are largely effective, however some women experience recurring thrush. In these cases you may want to see your GP to determine any possible underlying causes. Avoiding potential triggers can help to stop frequent bouts of thrush. These include:
Thrush usually clears up within a week, although it can take up to two weeks for the symptoms to completely disappear.
Thrush treatments are available both on prescription or over the counter. If you have had thrush before then you can buy Canesten treatments directly from a pharmacy. It's recommended to see a GP if you have never been diagnosed with thrush before to get a prescription and to ensure that it is definitely thrush causing your symptoms.
Both oral capsules, pessaries and intravaginal creams are equally effective at treating thrush. It may depend on personal preference and comfort which one is best. Oral capsules provide greater convenience while intravaginal cream may provide relief for internal itching. However, oral antifungal treatments are not suitable for pregnant women as they can increase the risk of miscarriage.
If you have recurring thrush seek advice from your GP. They may do further tests to find out the underlying cause of it and prescribe you with adequate treatment to keep it under control.
The candida fungi multiplies in warm conditions. The following steps can help to prevent thrush from recurring:
If you only have mild symptoms, thrush might resolve on its own. However this may make it more likely to return. While thrush is not serious, the symptoms can be uncomfortable.
During pregnancy, thrush should be treated with an intravaginal cream alongside the external cream for use around the labia. Oral tablets are not suitable for pregnant women and can heighten the risk of a miscarriage. The internal cream should be applied carefully to avoid the cervix.
Cotton underwear which allows your skin to breathe is best for preventing thrush.
If you're having treatment for thrush it can take up to a week for the infection to clear up. The symptoms of thrush are often uncomfortable and using an antifungal cream such as Canesten will help to soothe the itching and irritation. This is widely available in the shops and may come alongside a vaginal pessary or internal cream treatment.
Thrush is caused by a type of yeast rather than bacteria. It happens when the candida yeast is encouraged to grow more than normal which can be triggered by bacterial changes in the vagina. Common triggers for this include:
Stress is a possible trigger for causing thrush. This is because stress lowers the immune system, leaving the body feeling run down and more vulnerable to infection.
Thrush is a yeast infection. It is caused by the candida yeast which lives harmlessly inside the vagina. It turns into a yeast infection when the natural balance inside the vagina is disrupted, triggering an overgrowth of the candida yeast.
The first time you get thrush you should see your GP for an accurate diagnosis to rule out other possible causes. After this, you can access thrush treatment directly from a pharmacy without having to get a prescription.
High blood sugar creates an ideal environment for yeast to grow which is why thrush is more common in people with diabetes. If you are diabetic, your immune system may be lower, which also makes you more likely to get thrush.
Antibiotics work by killing bacteria which cause an infection. They cause thrush because they also kill off the harmless bacteria which are present in the vagina and would normally fight off yeast infections.
Thrush is not a sexually transmitted infection but it can be passed on during sex if you or your partner has the yeast infection.
You should avoid sex until your thrush clears up. It can make the infection worse, slowing down treatment or you risk passing it on to your partner.
The symptoms of thrush include itching and discomfort around the entrance to the vagina, redness and a white, odourless discharge. You may also experience discomfort during sex. If you experience any of the following symptoms this may be a sign of an STI:
If you are in any doubt, then visit a sexual health clinic or order one of our discreet home testing kits to get tested.
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